Green Cities Fit for Life

Image by Ursula Bach

Creative solutions for global environmental challenges

June, July and August 2013, Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is currently hosting the “Creative Assistance” exhibition at St. Michael’s Church, where artist Frank Liefooghe presents 30 creative solutions for global environmental challenges of the 21st century. The artist has principally gathered projects of entrepreneurs, scientists and artists from all over the world working under the theme water. As the world’s most vital resource, appropriate administration and care is essential to all, so is cooperation in water management. This is the reason why the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2013 as the UN International Year of Water Cooperation, to raise awareness on both the potential and challenges for water cooperation and to promote innovative solutions for developing water cooperation.

The “Creation Assistance” exhibition will be on tour visiting different corners of the globe. Courtesy of Frank Liefooghe

Among all of these projects, you can also find works on water conservation and combating desertification directed by Dr Prof Donald Gabriёls and carried out in several countries in Africa, Asia and South America under the slogan “Greening the drylands”. These investigations are linked to the UNESCO Chair of Eremology established in 2007 at Ghent University to promote research, training, information and documentation in the fields of desertification and dryland management.

Water and the European Green Capital Award

Water consumption is one of the twelve environmental indicators used to assess applications by cities applying to become the European Green Capital. Efficient, effective water management is fundamental to a Green city. The 2013 European Green Capital Nantes achieved good marks from the experts water consumption in the city has decreased steadily through a targeted water pricing policy as well as awareness campaigns. The city also has action plans for the detection of leaks and for upgrading the water supply network and water metering. It benefits from an ample water supply from the River Loire, and so it has focused efforts on improving quality and expanding water protection zones to supply drinking water.